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Ford may win sympathy vote

Mon., April 1, 2013

Re: Why Rob Ford may easily win re-election, Column, March 28

Re: Eight gala guests were ‘concerned’ about Ford, March 27

Why Rob Ford may easily win re-election, Column, March 28

While I concur with the underlying (and well-documented) point of Bob Hepburn's column (that populist mayors, even those clearly unsuited for the responsibilities of the job, are often re-elected), I suspect that the unique circumstances that brought Rob Ford to victory, including an incumbent who chose not to run and an otherwise uninspiring slate of candidates, are not likely to be repeated.

In 2010 the city had enjoyed several years of quiet, responsible government, which may have resulted in a relatively complacent electorate and a voter turnout of 52 per cent. I seriously doubt we'll see similar levels of voter apathy next time around.

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Michael Lennick, Toronto

Eight gala guests were ‘concerned’ about Ford, March 27

I now live outside Toronto, but I do go back there on a fairly regular basis, and do keep up with the events, attractions and the politics of this wonderful city.

However, I'm appalled at the Toronto Star's obsession with trying to disgrace and bring down the elected (as in elected democratically by a majority of Torontonians) mayor just because his policies differ from yours.

I've never met the man, but I do feel sorry for him now, as do many of my friends. Be careful — you might just win him the sympathy vote in the next election. I have never in over 40 years seen such vitriolic stories spun with Machiavellian fervour by the press against a politician.

Shame on you, Toronto Star.

Suzanne French-Smith, Terra Cotta

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